Extension's Nutrition Connections program makes a difference for recipients

UNH's Carsey Institute published a studythis month that documents a 52 percent increase in the number of American households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly called the Food Stamp Program) benefits since 2007. One in 10 American households currently receives SNAP benefits.

Surprisingly, so do one in 10 New Hampshire residents.

New Hampshire SNAP recipients: a 76 percent increase since 2006

"Many people may be shocked to learn that, despite being the state with the highest median household income, 10 percent of our population receives SNAP benefits," says Debbie Luppold, an Extension specialist with UNH Cooperative Extension's Nutrition Connections program. Nutrition Connections has provided nutrition education to SNAP recipients since 1989.

"A just-published USDA data sheet shows that 104,375 New Hampshire individuals received SNAP benefits in 2010. That's a 24 percent increase since 2009 and an increase of more than 76 percent since 2006," says Luppold.

"And many people probably don't realize that many low-income New Hampshire residents also rely on a network of more than 400 emergency food providers--pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, senior centers and day-care facilities for low-income children--to feed themselves and their families."

Nutrition Connections: a lot more than teaching the basics of a healthy diet

"UNH Cooperative Extension received our first grant from USDA Food and Nutrition Service to provide nutrition education to food-stamp recipients in 1989, and we've continued that work in New Hampshire ever since," says Luppold.

She continues, "Our outreach involves a lot more than teaching the basics of a healthy diet. We also help people improve their skills in budgeting, food shopping, cooking, and food safety. We help them identify and access emergency food resources in their communities. In recent years, we've begun emphasizing the importance of regular exercise for all members of the family.

Referrals, word of mouth

"Our participants learn about us through referrals by schools, faith organizations, and agencies such as Head Start and the WIC program. Some refer themselves after learning about us by word of mouth," says Luppold. "We conduct our educational work through one-on-one home visits, with groups at agencies, schools and after-school programs, through community youth groups, and through a learn-at-home series.

"In 2010, we engaged directly with more than 1,000 adults (who influence 2,800 family members) and 3,600 youth in schools and after-school programs. We also publish two newsletters, Smart Choices and Senior Smart Choices three times a year and mail them to all SNAP recipients in the state."

Healthy Schools initiative aims to improve schools' nutrition environment

"In 2003, we started our Healthy Schools NH initiative, which works with nurses, teachers, and others in schools with high populations of low-income children," says Luppold. "Teams in participating schools improve their schools' nutrition environment and find ways to increase physical activity levels during the school day and in after-school programs."

Many changes since 1989

"A lot has changed since I arrived in 1989," says Luppold. "We've gone from paper food stamps to Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards, which can be used in stores and also at some farmers' markets and farm stands. These days, we're seeing more and more working families who can't make ends meet, as well as people who've lost their jobs and never had to ask for any kind of assistance before."

"Interestingly, our survey data suggest that people may not need the supplemental assistance as long as they once did. In 2002, our survey found that people had been on food stamps an average of 18.5 months; in 2003 it was 14 months, and in 2008, the last time we asked, more than half of recipients surveyed said they'd received food stamps for less than one year.

Nutrition Connections makes a real difference

Hard data from Nutrition Connections' participant surveys shows:

• 81 percent improvement in one or more food resource-management practices: they now use grocery lists, plan meals, compare prices, and/or don't run out of food.


• 90 percent showed improvement in one or more nutrition practices: they make healthy food choices, prepare foods without adding salt, read nutrition labels and/or make sure children eat breakfast.


• 55 percent showed improvement in one or more of the food-safety practices: thawing and storing foods properly.

Equally telling: the feedback we receive from our participants

"I have more confidence in the nutrition decisions I make for my family. We compare unit size and price. I'm bringing home more new kinds of [fruits and vegetables]. I have noticed my food stamps seem to go a little further. It's fun to see how I can get the most nutrition from the most affordable ingredients available."

"My daughter is into reading labels on all the foods we buy. I'm finding it easier to get her to eat healthier because she's involved in the grocery shopping. She likes to look at all the ingredients. We have fun with it."

"Now I know what to buy. Before I didn't. I just went down the aisles and was confused."

"Since doing my goals; I've lost 12 pounds. I have completely stopped drinking Mt. Dew and replaced it with water. More physical activity for me and my son means we are more energetic than we were before."

Nutrition Connections Learn more about what we do and how to participate.
Healthy Schools NH Learn more about our work to improve the school nutrition environment.
More Than One in Ten American Households Relies on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance December, 2010 paper from the Carsey Institute.